The Cabinet yesterday approved a Bt12-billion budget to build facilities to receive electricity from the Xayaburi Dam, currently undergoing construction in Laos.
The facilities, which will be used to obtain, store and relay the electricity, will be built in Loei, Nong Bua Lamphu and Khon Kaen provinces and will be operated by the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand, Deputy Government Spokesman Phakdeeharn Himathongkham said.
Installation of electricity cables and towers across a 17-kilometre stretch of jungle from the Thai-Laotian border to a station in Loei province will undergo an Initial Environmental Examination, pending approval from relevant agencies, before Egat begins construction of the infrastructure.
The Cabinet has instructed Egat to adjust the timing of the construction and related projects to suit contingency plans regarding the electricity purchase deal, in order that good relations with Cambodia and Vietnam – which oppose the Xayaburi Dam project – are maintained, without affecting acquisition of electricity and various agreements with Laos.
The Cabinet did not give details on these conditions and the spokesman did not elaborate.
Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Bt12bn-approved-for-power-scheme-30194178.html
